Item # 1143, Shea Butter

Description:Shea butter is a slightly yellowish or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Shea butter is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion.

Applications

Shea butter is mainly used in the cosmetics industry for skin and hair related products (lip gloss, skin moisturizer creams and emulsions, and hair conditioners for dry and brittle hair). Shea butter is sometimes used as a base for medicinal ointments. Shea butter has been used as a sun blocking lotion and has a limited capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation.